You’re struggling to find or make time in your day for focused thought.

You wrestle with procrastination and/or distraction on a daily basis.

“A wonderful ‘crunch’… one of the best summaries we’ve ever seen.”Barbara Oakley, author of A Mind for Numbers

Though the title promises improvements in math and science, its lessons are applicable to all forms of learning and problem-solving.

Barbara explains that learning begins with creating and internalising small chunks of information (e.g., starting a car, pressing the accelerator, changing gear). As we learn we add to and connect these chunks and use them to solve problems in the world around us (e.g., driving). This is especially useful in analytical problem solving where chunks allow our limited working memory to greatly increase the information we consciously process at once.

She shows that to efficiently add to and apply these chunks requires learning to use and balance two modes of thought (focussed and diffuse thinking) effectively.

What follows is an excellent summary of practical tips to improve learning and problem solving as well as some of the common pitfalls we face on the way (and how to overcome them).

(Diffuse thinking is what’s going on when you have that “Aha” moment whilst doing something totally different like sleeping, running errands or enjoying a shower)

Both types of thinking are involved in learning…

Focussed: Gathering information and forming new chunks

Diffused: Connecting different chunks together

… and both are required in using that learning effectively.

Focussed: Identifying and loading chunks into working memory for analytical problem solving

Diffused: Big picture and lateral thinking, sense-checking, creative out of the box thinking

The Medici Effect is the name given to creatively linking seemingly totally separate chunks together to create a new and creative solution

We often learn sub-optimally because we fail to set up and/or alternate effectively between both modes.

We are too distracted or engaged in attentional multitasking to think deeply (focused)

We fool ourselves into thinking following is the same as understanding

We over champion analytical (focused) thought and fail to leverage the power of diffuse thinking

Meanwhile, almost every single successful scientist, author and artist in recent history used a daily routine that effectively set up and then alternated between focussed and diffuse thinking (see the popular book, Daily Rituals).

So, how can we learn effectively?

1. Create the best conditions for focused and diffuse thinking

Focused thinking needs meaningful stretches of undisturbed time to focus and think.

TANQ entries for “A Mind For Numbers”

The Einteilung Effect: “An idea you already have in min, or your simple initial thought, prevents a better idea of solution from being found.”

— Barbara Oakley, A Mind For Numbers

“Articulating your question is 80 percent of the battle. By the time you’ve figured out what’s confusing, you’re likely to have answered the question yourself!”

— Kenneth Leopold, A Mind For Numbers

“Surrealist painter Salvador Dali like Thomas Edison, also used a nap and the clatter of an object falling from his hand to tap into his diffuse-mode creative perspectives.”

— Barbara Oakley, A Mind For Numbers

“Learning is often paradoxical. The very thing we need in order to learn impedes our ability to learn. We need to focus intently to be able to solve problems – yet that focus can also block us from accessing the fresh approach we may need. Success is important, but critically, so if failure. Persistence is key – but misplaced persistence causes needless frustration.”

— Barbara Oakley, A Mind For Numbers

“Intention to learn is helpful only if it leads to the use of good learning strategies.”

Still curious? Read this next...

Arthur is a learning-freak, slow-thinker, and writer who loves helping curious, busy people digest chewy topics fast. One of his passions is language learning. Send yourself his Free Ultimate Language Learning Guide today to save you or a friend thousands of dollars and hours on your journey to fluency.

4

Leave a Reply

This is what I just needed right now….set time for both focussed and diffused thinking..
Thanks for this idea.

Reply

Arthur

You’re very welcome! I would also definitely recommend checking out Barbara’s Coursera course on learning how to learn. Good luck with your studying!

Reply

S. Vitone

Barbara Oakley also teaches a wonderful free online training course through Coursera called “Learning How to Learn”. It touches on many of the same principles she includes in her book and it was an interesting class!

Reply

Arthur

Great point, S. That course is how I discovered Barbara’s work in the first place.

For anyone interested in finding out more about the course, click here.